Dutee ran 11:30 seconds in the women’s heats and ran 11:24 seconds in the Kazaksthan Meet

Resident of a small village in Odisha, Dutee had to face a lot of shortcomings on her way to success

In 2014, she had been dropped and banned from the Commonwealth Games because her testosterone levels were higher than the permissible level in women athletes

Dutee Chand created history on the women’s 100m racing track, when she qualified for the Rio Olympics, in Almaty. She became the first woman athlete of India to qualify for this event of the Olympics. The 20 year old athlete ran 11:30 seconds in the women’s heats and further bettered it when she ran 11:24 seconds in theKazaksthan Meet. Last April, she had missed the Federation Cup in New Delhi, by one-hundredth of a second. Since then she has toiled day and night to reach where she is today.

Resident of a small village in Odisha, Dutee had to face a lot of shortcomings on her way to success. She not only overcame financial problems but she shattered the social construct that dares to ignore the women that want to pursue sports. She is an inspiration for all young athletes and women, all over India. In 2014, she had been dropped and banned from the Commonwealth Games because her testosterone levels were higher than the permissible level in women athletes. Last year, in 2015, she fought and won this case which served as her return ticket to her international career.

After qualifying for the Olympics, her elder sister was the first one to get a text message from her. She was so surprised that she could not believe it for a good few minutes. Finally, when she did, she was overjoyed and immediately informed her relatives, who in turn, would inform their parents. Her entire family celebrated her achievement.

Dutee had told DNA, she was glad that she had been able to live up to the expectations of her folks. They had prayed and prayed for her to qualify. She was grateful of her coach, N. Ramesh, who had spent tireless hours trying to improve her skills.

“I could qualify for the Olympics due to blessings of a lot of people. I want to thank Sports Authority of India, Sports Ministry, and Athletics Federation of India for their support. I will continue to work hard and hope to bring a medal for the country,” she had said to the dnaindia.com.

After P.T. Usha, Dutee Chand is the second woman of Indian origin to take part in the women’s 100m race in Olympics. First woman to qualify in doing so because during Usha’s time there were no qualifying rounds held for the Olympic Games. Over all, till this day, 4 women athletes have taken part in the 100 m race of the Olympic sport, namely Nilima Ghosh, Mary D’Souza , P.T. Usha and Mary Leela Rao. Now, Dutee Chand will follow in their footsteps.

We are extremely proud of her efforts and her achievement and hope that she is successful in attaining her dream and bringing back an Olympic medal.

Gymnast Dipa Karmakar who finished fourth aims to beat US sensation Biles next time

Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee gave Dipa a gold crown as promised by the organisers earlier this week

Dipa said Indian coaches are better than foreign counterparts citing the example of Pullela Gopichand who coached P.V. Sindhu

Sept 18, 2016: Gymnast Dipa Karmakar who has been the talk of the nation since she finished fourth in the Rio Olympics this year has now announced that her next aim is to knock off world champion Simone Biles off her pedestal.

“Simone Biles is the best. My aim is to beat her. I am preparing in such a way that even if I cannot get the better of her, I end up with a silver,” said Dipa. Biles claimed the gold medal in the women’s vault — the event which saw Dipa miss out on the bronze medal at Rio.

“The response she has been getting from across the country has floored us. I have vowed to myself that I won’t rest until she wins a medal in Tokyo (Olympics in 2020),” coach Bishweshwar Nandi said in his speech.

Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee gave Dipa a gold crown as promised by the organisers earlier this week. Among others present were former East Bengal coach Biswajit Bhattacharya and Bengal’s Ranji Trophy winning captain Sambaran Banerjee.

“I was happy with my finish until I came to my room. When I got to know the reaction of the entire country, the feeling of disappointment set in. If only I could win a medal, I could have gifted the country and all my fellow Bengalis something,” added the 23-year old Tripura girl.

At a press gathering later, Dipa said Indian coaches are better than foreign counterparts citing the example of Pullela Gopichand who coached P.V. Sindhu to a silver medal in badminton at Rio.”I have an Indian coach who I owe everything whatever I am today. Sindhu was also under an Indian coach and so was Sakshi. Both have won medals for the country. I think an Indian coach is always better,” she reckoned.

According to reports, coach Nandi is plotting a half-turn vault with an eye on Tokyo 2020. Quizzed about that, he preferred to beat around the bush: “Everyone wants a vault that he or she can master and is his or her identity. I have been working on something similar. Let’s see what happens.”

Dipa will be in the city on Monday as well where she will first visit Bhowanipore Football Club followed by a programme at the Bengal Chamber of Commerce. (IANS)